Staffing review: Chattanooga’s IDB runs lean compared with peer cities, staff to follow up with Hamilton County details

City economic development staff presented a benchmarking review showing Chattanooga’s IDB operates with minimal staffing compared with several Tennessee peers and recommended further analysis of staffing and fee structures.

Winston Brooks, director of economic development, said Chattanooga’s IDB has nine board members and relies on a single city staffer (legal/city staff support and shared economic development resources) to manage deals and projects. Brooks summarized peer approaches in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Clarksville and said the main administrative models are either direct city staff administration or third‑party organizations.

Why it matters: Staffing models affect how quickly deals are processed, monitoring is conducted and fiduciary responsibilities are managed. Brooks said some peer organizations—Memphis’ EDGE and Clarksville’s structure—have larger, revenue-supported operations that permit dedicated staff, whereas cities that rely on shared resources operate with far fewer dedicated employees.

Board questions and follow-up: Members asked whether peer staff are paid by the IDB or by other entities and whether Hamilton County’s IDB had been benchmarked; Brooks said he had not yet reviewed Hamilton County but would gather that information and confirm who pays staff in the other models. One board member suggested leasing employees from the city to avoid setting up independent payroll operations.

Next steps: Brooks agreed to follow up with additional details about Hamilton County, payment sources for peer staffing, and additional recommendations for structuring staffing or intergovernmental agreements.